Kyoto and Nara

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Last Thursday, the statutory holiday gods shined upon Japan again. I chose to take Friday off of school as well, and spent 4 days touring Kyoto and Nara with Alexis. It has been said that if there are two cities that are a "must see" in Japan, they are Tokyo and Kyoto.

Kyoto is a city you can spend days upon days in, and always have new sites to see. It is home to 17 designated World Heritage Sites, and is a city of classic Japan, complete with temples, zen gardens, and even the occasional geisha sighting (in fact, Gion, one area in which the novel Memoirs of a Geisha took place, is in Kyoto).

Alexis and I had our days full with sites to see! In Kyoto we saw To-ji, a temple and also home to Japan's highest pagoda, a five storey pagoda. We also saw Kiyomizu-dera, a temple where visitors drink sacred waters believed to have therapeutic properties. It was in this area we spotted 2 geisha (they looked like geisha anyways, but there are also apprentice geisha, as well as people who pay to dress up as geisha for a day) being pulled in a rickshaw (it happened so fast, I didn't get to snap a photo!). Also on the itinerary were Nanzen-ji, claimed to be one of Kyoto's most pleasant temples as it is so large, Ginkaku-ji, the "Silver Pavilion", although it isn't covered in silver at all (it was the Shogun's ambition to do so, but it never came to fruition), Kinkaku-ju, the "Golden Temple", which actually is golden!, and Ryoan-ji, home to a famous Zen garden.

We also visited Nara for a day, Japan's first capital, and a 40-minute train ride from Osaka, which is where we stayed. Here we visited Todai-ji, home to an enormous bronze Buddha, which is one of the largest bronze statues in all of the world. We also visited Kofuku-ji, home of Japan's second tallest pagoda (it loses out by a mere few centimetres to To-ji).

I will let you have a look at the pictures, because I'm sure your head is spinning as much as mine was to figure out which temple is which.

Kyoto is a city I will have to visit again, in order to see all that I want to see...C'mon statutory holiday gods! I need you again soon!!

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Photos

We're Gold!
The sun shone perfectly upon Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Temple, making for a glowing picture-taking opportunity.

Just how tall did you say it was?
This pagoda, on the site of the To-ji temple, is the tallest pagoda in all of Japan. It is also conveniently located a 15-minute walk away from Kyoto station.

Christmas in (very early) November
Kyoto gets into the Christmas spirit by displaying a Christmas tree in the very modern Kyoto station.

Kyoto at Sunset
The view from the balcony of Kiyomizu Dera temple.

Where's the Silver?
Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, with not a speck of silver in sight.

VIM?
A sign for Very Important Moss (like VIP) at Ginkaku-ji temple.

A View from the Top
Alexis and I on the top of Sanmon, one of the buildings that is part of Nanzen-ji temple. The stairs to get up to the top were a wee bit scary...very, very steep!

In need of a little zen
The zen garden at Ryoan-ji, where many people sat and contemplated the kare-sansui (dry-landscape) garden. The garden consists of 15 rocks set in a sea of sand. The anonymous designer apparently has offered no explanation, and I wish he or she had, because I kind of, um, don't get it...

Guardians of the Buddha
In Nara, at Todai-ji, one of two wooden statues, known as Nio guardians, from the 13th century.

One big Buddha
The gigantic bronze Buddha of Todai-ji

Just a small squeeze, and you're on your way to paradise!
A pillar in one of the corners of Todai-ji is a major draw. The pillar contains a hole the size of one of the Great Buddha's nostrils. It is believed that if you can squeeze through the hole you are ensured of enlightenment. I am happy to report that the lady in this picture was successful in her enlightenment attempt! I, on the otherhand, afraid of having to call in the fire department for extrication, will have to find another way...sigh...

Enlightenment, Stacey style!
Perhaps if I hadn't indulged in this parfait, I would have had more courage to make an attempt to squeeze through. However, I do believe that is the look of enlightenment on my face!

Comments

[Steven Bates]

the zen garden...
like...i totally get it! open your heart and mind to art in all forms...! ;-P